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Jack up LGs revenue allocation formular for optimal performance at grassroot, Makinde tells FG
The Seyi Makinde led Oyo state government has called on federal government to jack up the revenue allocation formula for the local governments to enable them perform their responsibilities optimally.
The state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Chief Bayo Lawal stated this on Friday in an interactive session with the 33 LG Caretaker Chairmen in the State with the Federal Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission team (RMAFC), held at the House of Chiefs, Secretariat, Ibadan.
Speaking through his Permanent Secretary, Elder Tunde Adeyanju, the Commissioner noted that the scanty purse of the LGs was as a result of little revenue available, adding that if their allocation can be pushed up by the Federal Government will enhance them to perform maximally.
He, however urged the Caretaker Chairmen to cooperate with the Commission as effort of data collation in administration cannot be over emphasized.
In his remarks, the team Lead, Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Alhaji Abdullahi Yanian, said Local Governments in the country need to fashion out a mechanism to get more Internally Generated Revenue.
Emphasizing the purpose of the team visit to the State, Alh. Abdullahi said the team was on a Nationwide Sensitization and Advocacy Tour of the 36 States and FCT on data gathering and management and will handle data collation exercise in the state, stressing that obtaining accurate data will make the government to be informed and to make decisions which would eventually be to the benefits of the people.
According to him “a framework must be put in place to let people pay for what they want. People want good roads, but do not want to pay taxes. It is time to have a retrospection on how functional the grassroot administration was during the Native Authority .”
He emphasized that local governments have potentials to generate more revenue than the state and these must be harnessed for development.
Also commenting, the Federal Commissioner of the Council cum Oyo State host, Mr. Bimbo Kolade stressed that the exercise will be in three stages: advocacy and information, data collation and verification; these he said will ensure that the collated data are accurate.
He however called for maximum cooperation of the Caretaker Chairmen and officials at the LGs in the State with the team, to enable the success of the exercise.
US car giant Ford on Wednesday announced 4,000 more job cuts in Europe, mostly in Germany and Britain, in the latest blow to the continent’s beleaguered car industry.
“The company has incurred significant losses in recent years,” Ford said in a statement, blaming “the industry shift to electrified vehicles and new competition”.
The move will affect 2,900 jobs in Germany, 800 in the UK and 300 in western Europe by the end of 2027, a Ford spokesman told AFP.
“It is critical to take difficult but decisive action to ensure Ford’s future competitiveness in Europe,” said Dave Johnston, Ford’s European vice-president in the statement.
The company also said it was adjusting the production of its Explorer and Capri models, resulting in reduced hours at its Cologne plant in the first quarter of 2025.
Europe’s car industry has been plunged into crisis by high manufacturing costs, a stuttering switch to electric vehicles and increased competition in key market China.
Germany’s Volkswagen has been among those hardest hit, announcing in September that it was considering the unprecedented move of closing some factories in Germany.
“The European automotive industry is in a very demanding and serious situation,” Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume said at the time.
Ford had already announced in February 2023 that it was planning to cut 3,800 jobs in Europe, including 2,300 in Germany and 1,300 in Britain.
The company said then it was planning to reduce the number of models developed for Europe, concentrate on the profitable van segment and speed up the transition to electric vehicles.
Ford currently has around 28,000 employees in Europe with 15,000 in Germany, according to the company’s works council.
President Bola Tinubu has approved the dissolution of the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Anambra State, and the removal of the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh, and Registrar, Mrs. Rosemary Ifoema Nwokike.
The council, chaired by Ambassador Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe, comprised five other members: Hafiz Oladejo, Augustine Onyedebelu, Engr. Amioleran Osahon, and Rtd. Gen. Funsho Oyeneyin.
A statement released on Wednesday by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, revealed that the council was dissolved following reports of procedural violations in appointing the vice-chancellor.
According to the statement, the council had allegedly appointed an unqualified candidate, disregarding due process, which triggered tensions between the university’s Senate and the council.
The Federal Government expressed dismay over the council’s actions, emphasizing the need for adherence to the university’s governing laws in decision-making.
“The council’s disregard for established rules necessitated the government’s intervention to restore order to the 33-year-old institution,” the statement noted.
In a related development, President Tinubu also approved the dismissal of Engr. Ohieku Muhammed Salami, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State.
Salami was accused of suspending the university’s Vice-Chancellor without following the prescribed procedures, a move the Federal Ministry of Education had previously directed him to reverse.
Despite the Ministry’s directives, Salami reportedly refused to comply and resorted to issuing threats and abusive remarks towards the Ministry’s officials, including the Permanent Secretary.
The Federal Government reiterated that the primary role of university councils is to ensure the smooth operation of academic activities, strictly adhering to the laws establishing each institution.
Tinubu warned university councils against engaging in actions that could destabilize their institutions, as his administration remains committed to enhancing the nation’s education system.
The Ekiti State Government has reached an agreement with labour leaders in the state, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the payment of the N70,000 minimum wage approved by the Federal Government.
Addressing journalists at a brief ceremony in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday, the Head of Service (HoS), Dr. Folakemi Olomojobi, announced that the payment would commence immediately.
She lauded Governor Biodun Oyebanji for prioritizing the welfare of workers despite the state’s limited resources.
“This development demonstrates the governor’s commitment to improving the livelihood of our workers,” Dr. Olomojobi stated, highlighting the proactive measures taken by the administration to ensure prompt implementation.
In their remarks, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) Chairman, Comrade Sola Adigun, and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Chairman, Comrade Olatunde Kolapo, expressed their appreciation to Governor Oyebanji for fulfilling his promises to workers.
They confirmed that the new minimum wage would apply to all cadres, including employees in ministries, parastatals, agencies, and pensioners.
The Chairman of the Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC), Comrade Femi Ajoloko, described the implementation as a fair and commendable adjustment.
“This decision reflects the governor’s magnanimity and his dedication to fostering a productive workforce in Ekiti State,” he said.
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